Family & Kids Chatt Valley July 2017

JULY 2017

Wise Choices for Moms & Families

CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY

ies ctivit A & s E Camp GUID -24 18 S

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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FREE Zax Kidz Meal between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. with the purchase of an adult meal.

(Limit one Zax Kidz Mealsper adult meal purchase. Dine-In only) VALID AT THESE LOCATIONS ONLY: 7626 Schomburg Rd. • Columbus • 706.507.3235 1915 Auburn Ave. • Columbus •706.507.9297 6190 Bradley Park Dr. • Columbus • 706.320.0046 7033 Ruffie Way • Midland • 706.289.1258

Limited-time offer. Offer valid at this location only, on Mondays, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Adult meals include any Most Popular Menu Item, Meal Deal, Zalad or Sandwich Basket.

Kids must be present when ordering. Each restaurant independently owned and operated. © 2014 Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. “Zaxby’s” and “Zax Kidz” are registered trademarks of Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc.

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com

HOO’s FIT

Love

ofExerciseStarts Before Birth Experts have noticed that moms who run have kids who run, but not for the reasons previously thought. Our kids see us exercising and are curious what all the excitement is about. They pick up on everything else: our eating habits, our hygiene patterns, and our work-ethic. Why wouldn’t they also imitate our exercise routines? But according to a recent study conducted at Baylor College of Medicine, our kids can acquire a propensity to exercise from us before they are born.

That may seem like a simple case for genetics… the idea that we’re born with genes that predispose us to love exercise. Indeed, according to a recent University of Georgia study, the inclination to enjoy exercise has been linked to variations in the number of genes that release dopamine. Dopamine is associated with the mental reward you get from exercising… feelings of motivation, pleasure, and well-being.

But Baylor’s study challenges both the observed behavior and the genetics theory. Here’s how.

Remember the pet gerbil you had as a kid? You probably had a wheel in the cage for it to run on. You might have noticed that your pet rodent never touched his wheel, while your friend’s pet seemed to spend all her time on it.

Researchers at Baylor identified a group of female mice who loved their running wheels. These mice voluntarily ran an average of 6.2 miles per night.

When the females got pregnant, they continued their love of exercise… voluntarily running into their third trimester as much as 1.9 miles per night. Meanwhile, the genetically identical control group, also pregnant, were not allowed access to their running wheels.

Researchers found that mice born to mothers who ran on the wheel during pregnancy were 50 percent more physically active than mice whose mothers did not get to run. Additionally, their increased physical activity continued into adulthood. Even if they gained excess weight, they were more likely to voluntarily run on wheels until they lost the extra fat.

The study supports the idea that a mother’s movement during pregnancy affects fetal brain development. It’s another example of how a child’s prenatal environment affects his post-delivery quality of life.

Given that physical inactivity and obesity are national health concerns, getting our kids excited about exercise is an important investment in their future health.

Nearly a third of Americans spend none of their leisure time exercising, and only 20 percent of us get the recommended amount of exercise each week, reports the CDC. However, it seems to get a jump start on a child’s future interest in exercise is to stay active while pregnant. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women get 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise daily.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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Tammy Usie Publisher

TheValley.com

Tammy@HooKnows

253-212-7270 Cell

Dear Parents of the Chattahoochee Valley, Welcome to our handy, parenting resource guide. I hope you will find lots of helpful choices on products and services for you and your family, along with some informative articles, handy resources and fun features.

If you like our magazine, then you’ll love our website, www.

HooKnowsTheValley.com. There you can read our magazine online, find other resources and use our SHOPPING DIRECTORY. This virtual buying guide provides our readers with a comprehensive list of local, family-friendly businesses. Plus with the ability for consumers to leave reviews on these businesses, it will help other parents make buying decisions. I invite you to go leave a few reviews to help us build this resource and share them with other parents like yourself.

AD DEADLINES

The 1st of the month for the next month’s issue

Tammy Usie

HOO KNOWS SPECIAL FEATURES Hoo’s crafty.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 27

HOO Knew?.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 26

HOO’S Fit.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 3

HOO’S hungry.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 5 & 13

HOO’S Fun.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 25

hoo’s Picks.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 11

HOO’S healthy.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 29

hoo’s tips.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 9

HOO KNOWS® Community Digest does not assume responsibility for products and services listed in this magazine. Ads may not be reproduced, in any way, without written consent. HOO KNOWS® is a trademark of Cinah Media Group LLC. For information on operating your own digest, contact us at 1-888-HOO-5609.

Where to Find HOO? BULK LOCATIONS: Chick fil-A’s in Columbus & Phenix City Family & Kids of the Chattahoochee Valley

PLUS: Check your local kid-friendly doctors & dentists, attractions, restaurants & retail shops.

Children attending FT Benning daycares, preschools & elementary schools each receive a copy, as well as elementary students at most all private schools in Columbus & Phenix City...plus all kids attending major daycares and preschools.

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com

HOO’s HUNGRY 1. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.

Fire departments respond to an average of 8,900 house grill fires per year with 83% of the fires involving gas-fueled grills and 13% from charcoal.

Cookouts with kids create some of the best memories.

Burgers and hotdogs sizzle on the grill and the kids run through the sprinkler, while you chat with the neighbors in the shade over a glass of sweet tea.

Keep the good times coming with these quick tips for preventing injuries and fires during cookouts.

vapor buildup. Skip lighter fluid when lighting charcoal, instead use a chimney starter. It only takes a few minutes longer to get coals glowing. The food tastes better and you won’t risk dangerous vapor explosions.

5. Don’t let kids hover around the smoke from burning grease, it contains carbon monoxide and other toxic chemicals that aren’t healthy to inhale. You can reduce drippings, and the smoke they cause, by 3. Refamiliarize yourself with food using lean meat cuts and placing aluminum foil safety. Bacteria grows at temperatures under food as it cooks. Keep grills cleaned. above freezing and continues until heated to at least 165 degrees. Keep a 6. Don’t leave the grill unattended, a leading cause of grill related fires. cooler nearby for perishable foods.

Wind can blow leaves or debris into the heat 4. Be aware of fuel vapors, which and flames, catch a spark and carry it into explode when exposed to heat or the yard. The grill flame can go out, leaving flame. 7,000 Americans are injured each year free-flowing gas to build up and create the using backyard grills. Ignite propane grills with possibility of an explosive relighting. the lid open to avoid an explosive ignition from 2. Locate your grill at least 10ft from your house. Flare-ups can ignite awnings, deck railing, and chairs. Place the grill away from busy walkways.

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SHOPPING GUIDE activities Academy Dance Camps...................23 Chattahoochee Valley Libraries....27 Clement Arts.......................................24 Cooking with Chef Sonya................24 Elite Dance Camps.............................24 Growing Room....................................22 Highland Kids Academy..................22 iCON Wrestling................................... 15 Mathnasium........................................ 21 Oasis Child Enrichment Center.... 21 Parents Night Out by Night Owl...... 7 Performance Dance Centre.............20 Prodigy Dance..................................... 18 River City Soap Box Derby..............32 The Columbus Museum...................

TELL THEM 18 Ultimate Youth Sports...................... 19

SENT YOU!

Childcare/ education Calvary Christian...............................30 First Presbyterian Day School.......30 Grace Christian School....................30 Kumon...................................................30 Lakewood Child Development ...... 31 St. Luke Schools.................................30 Sylvan Learning Center...................22 Westminster Christian..................... 31

healthcare Columbus Counseling...................... 15 Columbus Spine & Performance... 15 Comprehensive Women’s Care........ 8 Cook Dental Care.................................. 2 Ctr for Reproductive Services.........11 Dr. Alberto Lugo, DMD...................... 15 Family Counseling of Columbus...26 Pediatric Dentistry of Columbus... 14 Pediatrics at Brookstone Centre...28 Rivertown Pediatrics........................ 12

Home/ Handy Turfscapes Lawncare........................ 15 Warehouse World Mini Storage..... 15

Shopping/ Retail Bricks and Minifigs............................. 5 Happy Honey Pot................................. 7 In This Place With God - Book....... 15 Jessica Fowler Photography.......... 15 Kilwins Columbus............................... 8 Mickayla’s Place - Resale.................. 8 Once Upon A Child - Resale............. 7 The Posh Peach.................................. 13 Wee Blessings......................................11

Food & Beverage Chick-fil-A............................................28 Chill Yogurt & Pizzeria.....................26 Yola’s Coffee & Cafe............................28 Zaxby’s..................................................... 2

TELL THEM SENT YOU!

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com

SEEK GREAT PRICES & DISCOVER CASH FOR YOUR KIDS’ STUFF.

Located in The Landings at exit 8 off I-185 | 2521 Airport Thruway, Columbus, GA 31904 706.507.3737 | onceuponachildcolumbusga.com |

/onceuponachildcolumbusga

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

We are expecting

Y ou!

Maria V. Gonzaga, MD OB/GYN

1900 10th Ave. Suite 300 Columbus, GA (706) 341-3311 | comprehensivewomenscare.com

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Hoo’s Tips

FIREWORK

Do’s & Don’ts As some point, most parents make a decision to allow their kids to join the online world by giving them access to a tablet, computer, or video gaming system. However, some parents are noticing that for their kids, video gaming becomes an obsession. It has long been theorized that video gaming can be addictive, and a recently published scientific study has confirmed it. A brain imaging study found that after playing a video game for about 30 minutes, there were increased levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the part of the brain responsible for controlling impulses and regulating actions. Dopamine provides a good feeling when released in the brain. This helps explain why some kids become so addicted to video games that they even lose touch with reality.

Fireworks related injuries are on the rise despite consumer education about the dangers. This is according to the results of a recent study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Boys had a somewhat higher rate of injuries than girls, 61% to 39% respectively. The groups with the highest rate of emergency room treated injuries were ages 15 to 19 followed by 5 to 9-year-olds. Still, children in other age groups and even adults suffer a fair share of injuries each year. Adults over 25 years of age in all age groups constitute 46% of fireworks related injuries.

SO BE COGNIZANT OF THE SAFETY TIPS RECOMMENDED BY SUCH ORGANIZATIONS AS THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON FIREWORKS SAFETY. l Abide by local laws regarding fireworks.

l Wear safety glasses when shooting them off.

l Read all information that comes with the fireworks before igniting them. If none is available, research online.

l Do not carry fireworks in your pocket. l Never aim fireworks toward another person or animal.

l Do not allow young children to handle fireworks.

Sparklers heat up to 2,000 degrees and are responsible for serious injuries every year.

l Light them one at a time and then move away quickly.

l Always closely supervise children using fireworks.

l Do not drink or use drugs prior to or while igniting fireworks.

l Have a hose or bucket of water nearby in case of fire or to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off.

l Let off fireworks only in clear areas away from buildings and vehicles.

l Never try to re-light a firework that doesn’t work.

Wait 20 minutes then soak it in a bucket of water.

l Keep fireworks stored in a cool place.

l Never shoot them out of glass or metal containers.

l Keep pets and animals away from the sound of the fireworks.

l Do not use homemade fireworks.

Finally, the advent of camera phones and the popularity of social media has encouraged fireworks pranks. Kids, and even sometimes adults, think they can safely prank a friend or family member by igniting a firework in close proximity. Despite seeing videos in which no one was injured, the risk is high, and often does lead to injury. Make sure children and teens understand fireworks pranks should never be done and can result in serious injury.

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Dining Deals

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

With deals this good, save the mess and dine out!

MONDAY

thursday

Chick-fil-A, Phenix City

MOE’s Southwest Grill

5-7:30p: Free kid’s meal with regular priced combo

Chill Yogurt Cafe & Pizzeria

5-9pm: Free kid’s meal per $5 minimum adult entrée

Kids 12 & under eat free (1 topping 8” pizza & drink) with purchase of adult entrée (11” pizza and a drink). Limit 1 per adult. Dine in only.

sunday

Zaxby’s

Kids eat for $.99 after 4pm

5-8pm: Free kid’s meal with adult entrée

Tuesday Chill Yogurt Cafe & Pizzeria

Buy one regular 11” pizza, get one of equal or less value at 50% off with valid school ID. Limit 1 per customer, with ID only.

Stevi B’s Pizza

Texas Roadhouse

Sundays: Kids 12 & under get Jr. Kids Meal for $1.99 with adult entrée (certain holidays are excluded)

Monday-Friday Steak & Shake Happy Hour, 1/2 price shakes or drinks from 2-5pm

Denny’s

4-10pm: Up to two free kids’ entrées with adult entrée. For kids 10 and under

every day

Ruby Tuesday

Golden Corral

5-10pm: 2 kids under 13 eat free with adult entrée

TGI Friday’s

3-10pm: Kids under 13 eat free with adult entrée

Kids 3 & under eat free with adult meal purchase

Hartz Chicken Buffet

Children 3 & under eat free with purchase of an adult entrée. Kids ages 5-7 get discounted prices

wednesDAY Applebee’s Kids’ meals are half off with the purchase of an adult entrée. Limit: 4 kids per adult

All locations are Columbus, GA unless noted. Specials are subject to change without notice.

Please verify them directly before dining. If you know of a kid’s special not listed here, contact Tammy@HooKnowsTheValley.com.

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com

HOO’s PICKS

APPS to LOVE gonoodle kids GoNoodle Kids is a large collection of videos that encourage kids to get up and get moving. Videos are a mixture of unique content and curated third-party videos, but they’re all about demonstrating some way to move.

the robot factory Create robots. Test robots. Collect robots. Build with exoskeletons, zephyr mechanisms, hydrostatic tentacles, machinos locomotors, G-Force mixers, and more! Make any robot you can imagine!

Robot cats. Robot samurais. Robot spies.

stack the states Stack the States® makes learning about the 50 states fun! Watch the states come to life as you learn state capitals, shapes, geographic locations, flags and more.

Touch, move, and drop the animated states anywhere on the screen. Build a stack of states that reaches the line to win each level.

yousician Step-by-step video tutorials guide your family through learning an instrument. Fun and addictive gameplay tracks your progress and keeps you motivated to practice and learn. You’ll be amazed how fast your skills advance. So go grab your guitar, bass or ukulele, or keyboard, and start playing now!

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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HOO’s CUTE

CONTEST Visit our website to enter: w w w. h o o k n o w s t h e v a l l e y. c o m

Alivia, 3 years Phenix City

Rayshon, 5 years Phenix City

Lillian, 6 months FT Benning

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com

HOO’s HUNGRY

FOUR INGREDIENT

WATERMELON SORBET

The only thing better than watermelon on a hot, summer day, is a cup of frozen watermelon sorbet. And this one happens to be crazy easy!

DIRECTIONS In a small pan, add sugar and water, and bring to a boil.

Cook until sugar is dissolved, then set aside to cool.

INGREDIENTS

Purèe your watermelon and pour into a bowl.

• 8 cups seedless watermelon

Add the lemon juice and sugar syrup to the watermelon purèe, and mix really well.

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Pour mixture into a 13x9 pan, cover, and freeze.

Pull the mixture out of the freezer and purèe once more before serving in little cups.

• 1 cup sugar • 1 cup water

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."

John 8:12

Listen on the radio or online at thetruthlife.com.

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com

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Moms’ Marketplace

LOVE ON YOUR LAWN

Turfscapes

LAWN MAINTENANCE & LANDSCAPING COMPANY

COMMERCIAL . RESIDENTIAL . LICENSED . INSURED

DWTURFSCAPES@BELLSOUTH.NET

706-587-4666

1/2 OFF

1ST MONTH WITH NEW ANNUAL CONTRACT

Feature your business here, starting at only $69.

Call 253-212-7270

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July E PROVIDED

1 Home Depot Kids Work-

shop. 9am-Noon. Free. Ages 5-12. Columbus 706-3229240; Phenix City 334-297-2045.

1 Puppy Tales. 10:30am. North

Columbus Library; cvlga.org/ attend-it

1 Red, White & Cool Blue Summer Splash. 1-3pm. $2 +$5 parking. Liberty Bell Pool, Pine Mountain; gastateparks. org/FDRoosevelt 3 July 4th Parade: Happy

Birthday, Land of the Free!

1pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; cvlga.org/attend-it

3 Minecraft Monday. 4pm.

Ages 6-11. North Columbus Library; cvlga.org/attend-it

4 Freedom Fest - 4th of July Celebration. 11am-5pm. Free.

National Infantry Museum; nationalinfantrymuseum.org

4-6 NIM Kids Summer Film

Fest. 11am & 2pm. Free; nationalinfantrymuseum.org

6 Independence Day Celebration. 6:30pm. North Columbus Library; cvlga.org/attend-it

8 Fore Kids Junior Golf Tournament. 10am. $10-$20. Ages 8-15. Godwin Creek; forekidscolumbus.com

8 Second Saturday: Family Fun Day. 10am. Free. Columbus Museum; edu@columbusmuseum.org 10 Multicultural Mondays.

4pm. Columbus Library, 3000 Macon Rd; cvlga.org/attend-it

11-13 NIM Kids Summer Film

Fest. 11am & 2pm. Free; nationalinfantrymuseum.org

12 La Leche League meeting.

10am. Columbus Library, 3000 Macon Rd; lllofga.org/columbus.html

12 Family-Food-Fun Night.

6pm. South Columbus Library; cvlga.org/attend-it 13 Story Time Campout &

5 Kids’ Yoga. 11:30am. Columbus Library; cvlga.org/attend-it

Stuffed Animal Sleepover.

4pm. Ages 6-11. North Columbus Library; cvlga.org/attend-it

6 VIP Time for kids with

15 Puppy Tales. 2pm. Colum-

special needs. 6-8pm. $10.

Launch Trampoline, Columbus; launchcolumbus.com

bus Library; cvlga.org/attend-it

15 Mermaid Swim. 6:30-

7:30pm. $10 +$5 parking. Liberty Bell Pool, Pine Mountain; gastateparks.org/FDRoosevelt

18-20 NIM Kids Summer Film Fest. 11am & 2pm. Free; nationalinfantrymuseum.org 19 Kids’ Yoga. 11:30am. Columbus Library; cvlga.org/attend-it

21 Friday Family Flicks. 3pm.

South Columbus Library; cvlga.org/attend-it 25 Family Night @ Your Library! 6:30pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; cvlga.org/attend-it

25-27 NIM Kids Summer

Film Fest. 11am & 2pm. Free; nationalinfantrymuseum.org

26 Craft It Forward: Feed the

Birds! 4pm. North Columbus Library; cvlga.org/attend-it

27 Summer Reading WrapUp Party: Spy School. 4pm.

North Columbus Library; cvlga.org/attend-it 28 Super Splash Party in the Garden! 11am. Columbus Library; cvlga.org/attend-it

28 Awards Party: Build A

Better Sweet Creation! 1pm.

Mildred L. Terry Library; cvlga. org/attend-it

Events

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH: 28 End-of-Summer Splash Bash. 6pm. South Columbus Library; cvlga.org/attend-it

29 Young Eagles Day at Flightways Columbus. 8:3011:30am. Free. Ages 8-17.

Columbus Airport; 706-3236565 or youngeagles.com/ flightplan/flight.asp 29 Ronald McDonald Walk/

Run. 9am. Woodruff Park, 1000 Bay Ave; rmhcwga.org

Weekly Events MONDAY

AMC Summer Movie Camp.

10am. $4 Kids ticket w/ snacks.

Peachtree 8; 3131 Manchester Expy, Columbus; amctheatres. com/summer-movies-camp

Wild Wednesdays! 11am2pm. Free. Ages 5-15. Calvary Chapel, 6200 Macon Rd; calvaryofcolumbus.com/wild

Friday Night Dodge Ball!

8-10pm. Ages 10-18. $15.

Launch Trampoline Park; launchcolumbus.com

THURSDAY

SATURDAY

Toddler Tales at Barnes & Noble. 10am. 5555 Whittlesey Blvd. 706-653-7880 Summer Cinema for Kids.

10:30am. Columbus Library; cvlga.org/attend-it Family Craft Night. 6:45pm.

Columbus Library; cvlga.org/ attend-it

FRIDAY

Night Owls’ Parent’s Night Out. 6-10:30pm. CSU Cunningham Center. $25 per child, $35 in diapers. 706-577-8727. nightowlkidscare.com Fantastic Fridays. 10:30am.

Free. Patrick Theatre, Columbus Museum; columbusmuseum.com

TUESDAY

Make & Take. 4pm. Free. Phenix City-Russell County Library; phenixcitylibrary.com/event/ make-take/2017-06-02

WEDNESDAY

Kids Night Out. $10. 6pm practice. 7pm competition.

Ages 5-18. Bows not provided. Archery Connection; 334480-9997 or archeryconnection.net

Legos in the Library! 2pm.

Columbus Library; cvlga.org/ attend-it AMC Summer Movie Camp.

10am. $4 Kids ticket includes snacks. Peachtree 8; 3131 Manchester Expy, Columbus; amctheatres.com/summer-movies-camp

Night Owls’ Parent’s Night Out. 6-10:30pm. CSU Cunningham Center. $25 per child, $35 in diapers. 706-577-8727. nightowlkidscare.com Michael’s Kids Club Meeting.

10am-Noon. Ages 3+. See store for details.

Toddler Time. 10am-Noon.

Launch Trampoline Park; launchcolumbus.com Baby & Toddler Playgroup 10:15am. South Columbus Library; cvlga.org/attend-it Saturday Storytimes at Barnes & Noble. 11am. 5555 Whittlesey Blvd. 706-653-7880 Please call ahead to confirm event dates, times and age appropriateness, in case changes were made after the info was obtained. For more info, visit www.Muscogeemoms.com.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com SUMMER CAMPS & ACTIVITIES GUIDE

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Choices for & Your Family SUMMER Wise CAMPS &YouACTIVITIES GUIDE

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com SUMMER CAMPS & ACTIVITIES GUIDE

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Choices for & Your Family SUMMER Wise CAMPS &YouACTIVITIES GUIDE

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com SUMMER CAMPS & ACTIVITIES GUIDE

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SUMMER CAMPS & ACTIVITIES GUIDE

F al l S emester 2017 Supporting Foster Care & Adoption

Dance Art Drama Music

www.clement-arts.org

HOO’S PLUGGED IN WWW.HoOKNOWSTHEVALLEY.COM

HOO’s Fun

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com

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Patriotic Picture Finder Can you find the following: tepee, Bill of Rights, mouse, measuring cup, pies, flag, pear, sock, fire crackers, baton, birds, house, ball, cup & carrot?

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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PTSD

Not all wounds are visible.

We can help.

Call 706-327-3238

HOO knew?

Georgia Fun Facts l l l The Peach State produces way more peanuts, blueberries and pecans than it does peaches. l l Today, more major motion pictures are filmed in Georgia than in Hollywood. But “Gone With the Wind” wasn’t filmed in Georgia, even though the story took place here. l l l l l l l l l You all know that Atlanta is the capital of Georgia. But did you know that Georgia has had five capitals?! Savannah (1777-1785), Augusta (1786-1789), Louisville (1789-1807), Milledgeville (1807-1867) and then Atlanta (1868-present).

”Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite!” You hear this phrase quite often today, but most people don’t know it actually started in Georgia. Colonials would bind their mattresses with Spanish Moss which brought tiny bed bugs into the mattresses. Bet you’ll think twice before using that saying in passing again!

l l l l

l l l l l All of the major lakes in Georgia are actually man-made and not natural lakes.

But Georgia does contain the largest swamp in North America—the Okefenokee.

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com

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HOO’s CRAFTY

EASY PEASY

NEBULA JARS

From an out of this world calming jar, to a fun craft to keep kids busy for the summer, or something hands-on to compliment your space study, this is the craft for you!

DIRECTIONS Fill 1/3 of the jar with water, then add several drops of paint to the water, put the lid on and shake to mix the paint and water.

SUPPLIES Clean glass jar/lid

Open and add a bit of glitter, then stretch cotton balls and add them to the water until the bottom is filled with cotton, pressing them down into the water with a stick or butter knife.

Tempura paint (in 2-3 colors)

Fill another 1/3 of the jar with water, then repeat the process of adding paint using a second color, and more glitter and cotton.

Fine glitter

Fill the final 1/3 of the jar and repeat the last steps once more. Now seal the lid well and enjoy your new out of this world craft.

Cotton Balls Water

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

www.HooKnowsTheValley.com

HOO’s HEALTHY

lawnmower safety tips for summer It’s lawn-mowing season again and a recent study urges parents to make sure that their children are not part of the seasonal ritual.

The Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital found that 4800 children a year go to the emergency room to be treated for a lawn mower related injury. On an average, that turns out to be about 13 kids a day.

The way children are injured by lawn mowers varies by age. Children younger than five years are more likely than older children to be injured from touching a hot surface, from a “back-over” injury, or as a bystander or passenger. Children ages 5-17 years were more likely than younger children to be struck by or cut by the lawn mower or a projectile.

The researchers suggest that to help prevent backover injuries, which are often the most devastating lawn mower injuries to young children, every rideon mower should be equipped with a no-mow-inreverse mechanism with the over-ride switch for this feature located behind the operator’s seat, which forces the person operating the ride-on mower to look behind them before backing up with the blades engaged.

“While we are happy to see that the number of lawn mower-related injuries has declined over the years, it is important for families to realize that these injuries still occur frequently during warm weather months,” said Gary Smith, MD, senior author of the study and director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “Improvements in lawn mower design during the last few decades are likely an important

The

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Kids

Doctor

Sue Hubbard, MD kidsdr.com

contributing factor in the decrease in injuries.

We would like to see manufacturers continue to improve design and include additional needed safety features on all mowers.”

Injury prevention experts recommend these rules to help prevent mower-related injuries to children and adults: Teach and supervise teens. Children should be at least 12 years old to operate a push mower and at least 16 years old before using a ride-on mower.

An adult should supervise teens before they are allowed to operate a lawn mower on their own.

Kid-free zone. Children should never be passengers on ride-on mowers and children younger than 6 years of age should be kept indoors during mowing. Never let children play on or near a lawn mower, even when it is not in use.

Before you mow. Pick up any stones or other objects in the grass. Objects thrown by a lawn mower can cause severe eye and other injuries.

Put on protective eyewear and make sure you are wearing sturdy shoes.

While you mow. When using a walk-behind lawn mower, use a mower with a control that stops it from moving forward if the handle is released.

Always mow going forward. If you absolutely have to mow in reverse, always look behind you before you start backing up.

Turn it off. Wait for the blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, or crossing gravel roads.

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EDUCATION DIRECTORY To feature your school or child care option, call Tammy at 253-212-7270.

K4-8th Grade

school.stlukeum.com 318 11th Street 706.256.1301

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www.HooKnowsTheValley.com

HOO’s FUN SUMMER TO-DOs

Have a talent showcase l Be a hometown tourist l Go on a bug safari l Have an outdoor movie night l Create an obstacle course l Cook a meal together l Build a fort l Read a book together l Have a weekly game night l Volunteer l Camp under the stars l Go on a scavenger hunt l

Christ-Centered Education in a Nurturing Environment Pre-K – 6th Grade | Small Classes Military Discounts | North Columbus 2303 Double Churches Rd. | 706-323-4441 westminsterchristianschool.org

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Let’s Grow STEAMx in collaboration with community partners and sponsors is proud to present

Schedule of Events July 29th at 9:00am 17 STREET (Next TH

to

Columbus HigH sCHool)

8:30 am

Opening Ceremony

9:00 am

River City Soap Box Derby begins

2:00pm

Awards Presentation (Lake Bottom Band Shelter) UP TO 50 YOUTH RACERS WILL BE COMPETING FOR

1st Place $300.00 and River City Trophy

2nd Place $200.00 and River City Trophy

3rd Place

$100.00 and River City Trophy

Please visit our website at www.letsgrowsteam.org or call us at 706-577-3409 for more information.